Desperate Housewives of ILX

I'm annoyed that their duvet cover sizing starts at full/queen, though--I need a new cover for my twin duvet, which I'm going to use in the summer because it's less heavy and drapey.

you know, i should look on overstock. i love them. i have actually found some good items at target but i've had to be careful with their cheap cheap stuff bc the thread count is basically like sleeping on paper.

Well yeah. You always have to look at that!

i know. i'm bad at shopping. i've only realized things like this recently.

i bought some CK 300 thrd count sheets in a dusty powder blue

i think they are nice

Enjoy them. I love a made bed with fluffy things and good sheets. Like, a significant portion of my quality of domestic life comes from this one thing. You have arrived!

totally. i have been slowly building up my linen collection. (very slowly). but it does make me happy.

Someday I will have to break down and buy an actual bed frame and mattress, though. Mine is old and sooooo sad. I just cover it up with nice bedding but that won't work forever.

i would really like a headboard. we have one of those wooden frames that has drawers underneath, which i really like, but there's something about a headboard that really finishes a room.

I was just thinking about that, too. No footboard, though. Makes it too uncomfy for tall people plus it's harder to watch tv over it.

My bed is an unfinished pine platform with storage underneath, too, but I'm at least the 3rd owner and it's starting to come apart.

I have a hoarding problem with everything. Except I always throw out the old Village Voice when the new one comes out.

I'm trying to get over my hoarding problem at the moment, mainly by thinking of myself as a philanthropist when I give away books that I haven't read for 10 years.

I've been getting rid of stuff out of my apartment for the last month or so and it feels GOOD

I am going to make a headboard soon!

haha out of what? we have a spare door (yeah...) and my bf is convinced we can construct a headboard out of it but i am p skeptical

I have ruined ny ceramic kitchen sink because I had no idea you're not supposed to use straight bleach on it. Now it's peeling and discolored. Is it fixable?

Probably not, alas. If it's peeling, it might be enamel over metal instead of ceramic. Not that it matters, but you can get bathtubs re-enamelled. It's cheaper and easier to just replace a damaged sink than go through that process. And, if you get a tiny chip or crack in a ceramic sink, there are some spot fix kits but the repair is usually very conspicuous.

Ugh my landlord's gonna kill me

I found this: http://www.ehow.com/how_5896211_repair-porcelain-sink-finish.html

Seems very labor intensive and maybe could make things worse?

i'm sorry justine :(

oh well! worst case scenario is she makes us pay for a replacement. i'm sure it couldn't be more than a few hundred bucks, which sucks but is not the end of the world.

i could also really use some pro tips on maintaining a blockage-free shower - what is a good weekly treatment to prevent hair/soap scum buildup so i don't have to use draino?

A little mesh filter over the drain tbh. Once that stuff goes into the pipes there's only so much you can do.

i have one of those but some hair still gets through (i clean it out regularly).

Ryan actually plunges the shower drain when this starts to happen - it has definitely worked, and it is more environmentally and cost efficient than draino. a quick google should show you how to do it.

These Zip-It things work great. We have a tub with a pop-up drain, so I use the largest of these sink strainers turned upside down on it. An even squirt of caulking around the rim helps seal it better.

I clean out the drain by digging around in the muck with two skewers held like chopsticks. It's super gross, but gets to the cloggy stuff without having to touch it.

In fact, it's REALLY REALLY gross. Works though.

Also -- regularly flush with super hot water, then plunge.

yeah i'm thinking about doing a vinegar/baking soda flush once a week - it doesn't seem do shit for any actual blockages, but it might be a good natural maintainer?

Try HOT HOT HOT water -- it works pretty well!

yeah that works for my sink too

The zip it things did nothing for my terrible drain. After the last time the maintenance dude came to unclog, he said pour some bleach once a week. We also have a mesh thing and I think hot water helps.

btw I love the baking soda/vinegar idea as opposed to bleach but it did nothing :(

I have a siliconey/rubbery ice cube tray from Ikea (star shapes!) and I took it out of the freezer to wash it and it really smells of... freezer :( Any ideas how to get rid of the smell or should I just chuck it?

Try soaking in a solution of baking soda and water?

what is the best way to treat a stain on clothing? (oil, blood, food or drink)

Oil needs detergents to get it out. Try a little ammonia--you can start with a dilute solution and see if it works, if not, dab a little straight from the bottle onto a cloth and PRESS (don't rub) on the oil stain.

Blood: cold water or cold water and OxyClean, seriously. Don't bleach blood.

Food: Detergent for the oil, and OxyClean for tomato, grape, etc stains.

Drink: There might be a panacea for red wine stains but I'm not sure what it is. Cold water IMMEDIATELY if not sooner, but that won't get it all, and after that I'm lost.

Laurel have you considered writing a Heloise style book/column/?? If not, why not? I would rather have you tell me how to do things around the house than, say, this lady

(although lol at ladies home journal cover topics in 1983)

http://www.entermyworld.com/cat/articles/lhj/hjsept831x1.jpg

thanks so much for those tips!

in terms of red wine, i have definitely had luck with club soda and salt

I took my blankets to the drycleaners today.

Oh I really need to do that for my quilt

Yeah Ive dumped a pile of salt on a red wine spill (as soon as its occurred) and that's actually made it about 99% removable.

Tell you the worst stain to clean - cat spew, especially as by the time you notice its there its usually been sitting there, acidly staining the carpet, for hours.

that's why i have no carpets (even tho i love them)

soo ... i need a new iron. i've had it. any ideas?

Rowenta was all the rage a while back, but I've been iron-free and loving it for about a decade now.

i have half a mind to call this hotel i was staying at recently and ask what irons they use. bc i swear it was a magical experience.

Rowenta is the only answer. Hefty & awesome. Lightweight irons are bullshit.

yeah this is what i've heard recently! did not know that before. thanks girls.

just came in to say hi to surm tbh

Having worked in a commercial laundry I can say w authority that heat/steam **plus weight** gets out wrinkles. Man can not iron with steam alone.

I want a proper steam press. But that
will never happen.

Fyi: if you get the Rowenta iron & you can afford it, front for the ironing board too. Don't skimp on the board, cheap ironing boards are the worst

ugh i know. i will forever hold a grudge against target for the irons and boards they pawn.